How to Write 濂 (lián) — Meaning “Lian (often used in names)”

Imagine a pure, honest stream of water: the water radical 氵 on the left, and the right part 廉 reminds you that the water is "clean and honest." You can think: "The water (氵) is so honest (廉) it flows as a peaceful Lian stream." This links the visual shape to the character's use in water-related names.

Write the left radical 氵 first with three strokes: dot, dot, lift. Then the right part 廉: start with 广 (dot, horizontal, sweep), then 兼 (horizontal strokes, two verticals, and bottom downward strokes). The right side is taller than the left; a common mistake is making the right part too narrow or cramping the 兼 component, so keep the horizontal strokes even.

濂 has the water radical 氵 on the left and the right part 廉 (meaning honest). 滕 has the flesh radical 月 on the left and a different right part, often meaning "water rising" but not a common water name. 滴 also has water on the left but its right part is 啇, making it look boxier, and it means "drop" as in a droplet—while 濂 is used only in names and not for everyday objects.

濂 appears mainly in place names and personal names, such as 濂溪 (Lián Xī, a famous stream) and 濂江 (Lián Jiāng, Lian River). Culturally, 濂溪 is linked to the Song dynasty philosopher Zhou Dunyi, who lived by Lian Stream and wrote the famous essay "Love of Lotus." In modern Chinese, you will rarely see 濂 outside of these proper names, so it is a specialized character.

Common words containing 濂 include: 濂溪 (lián xī) — Lian Stream; 濂江 (lián jiāng) — Lian River; 濂泉 (lián quán) — Lian Spring.